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THE CLASS OF '63
Buick Riviera, Studebaker Avanti, Chevrolet Corvette Includes Corvette Stingray convertible (AMT plastic kit)
Back in the days when we looked to the fall season in anticipation of the annual new car introductions, every year was a treat, with styling changes, or models deleted, or new models added to existing product lines. 1963 was one of the more memorable years, as we saw three new models introduced, including two new car lines. Corvette, having survived its shaky beginnings and uncertain future, was now in its tenth year of production, and was radically restyled, as the 1963 Corvette Stingray. We had seen clues of the new styling in 1961 with the Mako Shark concept car, and some hints in the taillights and rear end of the '61 Corvette's body, but had to wait two more years to see production 'Vettes incorporate more of the styling. '63 was the first year for what the Brits would call a "fixed head coupe". For many years prior, Corvette had offered a removable, "lift off" coupe top for the only Corvette body style, the convertible or roadster. This year, however, there were two separate body types: the traditional convertible, available with folding soft top, and optional "add on" (removable) hard top, which transformed it into a coupe. In addition there was also a new fastback roofline coupe. with doors which opened into the roof to ease entry, and a divided backlight which came to be referred to as the "split window". By now most are familiar with the car, which had a "spine" running down from the roof to the rear deck, separating the rear window down the center. This controversial treatment was a one year only offering. Bill Mitchell, the stylist who designed the Stingray, liked the feature. Zora Arkus Duntov did not. Some Corvette owners later removed the separation, and replaced the two piece back light with the one piece unit from the '64 - '67 Corvette. With the "split window" being the first year only, I'd bet many, if not all who did that, regret having done so. In addition to the radical change in physical appearance, the '63 'Vette also introduced independent rear suspension. The top engine choice was the fuel injected 327, rated @ 360hp.
Bill Mitchell, chief stylist for GM, was a busy man in 1963. He is credited with not only the Corvette Stingray but also with the creation of the Riviera, a new and distinct model added to the Buick line. Some clarification here. Harley Earl, who preceded Bill Mitchell, did the first Buick Riviera. When GM *pioneered the pillarless 2 door hardtop body style in 1949, Buick Division called their offering a Riviera. Then in 1955 GM introduced the 4 door hardtop, and Buick called theirs a 4 door Riviera. So, for many years Buick hardtops, in which ever line they were offered, were called Rivieras. For example, "Roadmaster Riviera", or "Century Riviera", etc. Here, however, we refer to not a body style, but to a new model; a new car line. The 1963 Buick Riviera was designed to be a unique automobile, perhaps a "personal luxury car" - nomenclature which I believe was applied to the Ford Thunderbird. In fact, one magazine in referring to the '63 Riviera said that Mitchell had created "an anti-Thunderbird". Interestingly, the Riviera almost wasn't a Buick. Apparently the car - not the name - was considered for Cadillac, before it was designated for Buick. While it was a new car for GM, there were already cars of similar character on the market in '63. The previously mentioned Ford Thunderbird, and the Studebaker Hawk. But the Riviera was successful in carving it's own niche. Eventually that niche became somewhat crowded with Grand Prix, El Dorado, Toronado, Monte Carlo, Cordoba, and others, each with its own following. However, the '63 - '65 Rivieras are still considered among the most attractive of the genre.
*Though GM is generally credited with offering the first hardtops in 1949, Chrysler was actually first; they produced a handful of Town & Country hardtops in 1946
The other new kid on the block was the Studebaker Avanti, actually introduced in 1962, we were teased by it until offered for sale in 1963. Intended to save struggling Studebaker, which at the time had been the longest continuous manufacturer of transportation conveyances in America, having begun producing horse drawn wagons a Century before. Sadly, the Avanti, advanced as it was, was said to be too little, too late. Studebaker moved to Canada in '65, and went out of business in '66. The car was hatched in secrecy. So much so that the Studebaker president threatened instant dismissal if anyone leaked word about the project. So much so that the design team worked in California, in and near the home of the chief designer, not in the Studebaker factory in South Bend. It was a polarizing design either liked or disliked, without a straight line anywhere on the car, virtually no front grille (there was one below the bumper), and tunneled round headlights. The body was fiberglass, made by the same company that produced bodies for corvettes. It had a built in roll bar, and was one of the first modern American cars to have disc brakes. (Crosley, and Chrysler on its Imperial, tried various forms of disc brakes in the early '50s). The Avanti used spot disc brakes designed by Bendix. Avanti could be had with a supercharger, as Studebaker continued a tradition begun in 1957. Three other engine options were offered as well. Studebaker and the Granatelli Brothers went to Bonneville in '63 and set several records. The Avanti was made by Studebaker again in 1964, with the only visible difference being square headlight bezels.
Details, Details
Sometimes scale model cars may have little details which go unnoticed, or differ between two models of the same car. Personally, I have at times just happened upon these little details, while other times I have actively sought them. But in order to seek them, one has to first know they exist. Here a few which may pass unnoticed. As diehard car enthusiasts may recall, some of the auto manufacturers dabbled (unsuccessfully, it turned out) with air suspension the 1950s. Among others, both Chevrolet and Ford in 1958, offered air suspension. Ford called their system "Ford Aire", and it was available only on Fairlanes and wagons. Few cars were actually made with the problematic system, and by 1959 it was no longer available. Chevrolet called their system "Level Air", and continued to offer it as an option into the 1959 model year. From the Chevrolet sales literature I have seen it is believed that the option was available across the entire line. The 1/25 scale PMC Promotional model of the 1959 Ford Country Sedan station wagon has "Ford Aire" in raised letters on the lower right hand corner of the tailgate. When I first saw it I thought it referred to air conditioning. Later I learned that it referred to Ford's air suspension. While I have seen some reference to the system listed as 1959, as stated previously it is believed the system was discontinued in 1958.
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page updated 9/18/2019